WallStSmart

TriCo Bancshares (TCBK)vsWells Fargo & Company (WFC)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Wells Fargo & Company generates 19380% more annual revenue ($83.03B vs $426.21M). TCBK leads profitability with a 31.8% profit margin vs 27.2%. WFC appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.51. WFC earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 76/100 (B+).

TCBK

Strong Buy

71

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 6.7Profit: 7.5Value: 5.7Quality: 7.5
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: -0.68

WFC

Strong Buy

76

out of 100

Grade: B+

Growth: 7.3Profit: 7.5Value: 5.7Quality: 3.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: -0.38

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

TCBK6 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Price/BookValuation
1.3x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Profit MarginProfitability
31.8%10/10

Keeps 32 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
43.2%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 43.2%

Debt/EquityHealth
0.0610/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

P/E RatioValuation
12.8x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

EPS GrowthGrowth
26.2%8/10

Earnings expanding 26.2% YoY

WFC6 strengths · Avg: 8.8/10
Market CapQuality
$273.04B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Operating MarginProfitability
37.4%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 37.4%

Profit MarginProfitability
27.2%9/10

Keeps 27 of every $100 in revenue as profit

P/E RatioValuation
13.1x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.7x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
25.0%8/10

Earnings expanding 25.0% YoY

Areas to Watch

TCBK3 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.944/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Market CapQuality
$1.71B3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.682/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

WFC3 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.514/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
-0.382/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Debt/EquityHealth
2.551/10

Elevated debt levels

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : TCBK

The strongest argument for TCBK centers on Price/Book, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 31.8% and operating margin at 43.2%. Revenue growth of 10.4% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : WFC

The strongest argument for WFC centers on Market Cap, Operating Margin, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 27.2% and operating margin at 37.4%.

Bear Case : TCBK

The primary concerns for TCBK are PEG Ratio, Market Cap, Altman Z-Score.

Bear Case : WFC

The primary concerns for WFC are PEG Ratio, Altman Z-Score, Debt/Equity. Debt-to-equity of 2.55 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

WFC carries more volatility with a beta of 0.92 — expect wider price swings.

TCBK is growing revenue faster at 10.4% — sustainability is the question.

WFC generates stronger free cash flow (6.8B), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor BANKS - REGIONAL industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

WFC scores higher overall (76/100 vs 71/100), backed by strong 27.2% margins. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Strong Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

TriCo Bancshares

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA

TriCo Bancshares is a bank holding company for Tri Counties Bank providing commercial banking services to individual and corporate clients. The company is headquartered in Chico, California.

Wells Fargo & Company

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - DIVERSIFIED · USA

Wells Fargo & Company is an American multinational financial services company with corporate headquarters in San Francisco, California, operational headquarters in Manhattan, and managerial offices throughout the United States and overseas.

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